Hero background

All auctions / Ancient Art / Indus Valley Terracotta Set of 4 rare votive offering figures

4d 19hESCatawiki

Indus Valley Terracotta Set of 4 rare votive offering figures

Indus Valley Terracotta Set of 4 rare votive offering figures

These rare four sinuous terracotta vessels resemble female figures with their arms crossed under their chests and an opening in their heads that simulates an updo hairstyle. Their function could be to hold water for ritual libations or some type of cereal as a food offering. In addition, there are various shapes that indicate that they could also have contained incense. These sculptures are believed to have had a votive function, as they have been found in large numbers in sacred deposits, leading to the belief that they had an apotropaic function. The apotropaic function of these pieces was to protect fertility and motherhood. They would undoubtedly have been a key ritual element for fertility. The Indus Valley culture was a civilization that developed from 3000 BC to 1300 BC around the Indus River in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northwestern India. It covered nearly a hundred settlements, and its two most important cities were Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. By 2400 BC, a complex urban civilization had developed, comparable to those of Egypt and Mesopotamia. Provenance: Aweidah Gallery, Israel, 2014 Export authorization from the Israel Antiquities Authority No. 526915 with date 17/09/ 2014 Exhibited: Ifergan Collection museum, Málaga (2018-2020) Statement seen by Catawiki. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days. According to Spanish legislation, items sent outside the European Union are subject to export taxes and will be added to the invoice, at the buyer's expense. These export fees are fixed on the final auction price and the tax rate is not applied directly on the total value of the item to be exported, but rather the different percentages by sections are applied to it: - Up to 6,000 euros: 5%. - From 6.001 to 60.000 euros: 10%. Due to Switzerland customs regulations, this lot cannot be sold to customers residing in Switzerland #Orientalism

Estimate:$11,941.02

To the auction

View all items fromCatawikiorAncient Art

Estimate:

$11,941.02

To the auction

Similar items

Auction results for similar items

RARE ATTIC BLACK-FIGURE LEKYTHOS WITH ERINYES
Sold

RARE ATTIC BLACK-FIGURE LEKYTHOS WITH ERINYES

06/21/2026

Apollo Art Auctions
GB

$5,033.48

Est: $2,250.12

Details
GREEK BLACK-FIGURE OINOCHOE WITH MAENADS
Sold

GREEK BLACK-FIGURE OINOCHOE WITH MAENADS

06/21/2026

Apollo Art Auctions
GB

$4,768.56

Est: $2,683.66

Details
GREEK BLACK-FIGURE OLPE WITH SYMPOSIUM SCENE
Sold

GREEK BLACK-FIGURE OLPE WITH SYMPOSIUM SCENE

06/21/2026

Apollo Art Auctions
GB

$2,649.2

Est: $2,683.66

Details

Upcoming auctions

Jewellery and Watches
Jewellery and Watches auction house logo

OCT 27 | 4:00 PM

Jewellery and Watches

American, European and Ukrainian Fine Art
American, European and Ukrainian Fine Art auction house logo

OCT 23 | 8:00 AM

American, European and Ukrainian Fine Art

October 16 & 17, 2026 Coin Op & Advertising - Las Vegas
October 16 & 17, 2026 Coin Op & Advertising - Las Vegas auction house logo

OCT 17 | 10:00 PM

October 16 & 17, 2026 Coin Op & Advertising - Las Vegas

Bring your auction to collectors worldwide!

Get listed now
Indus Valley Terracotta Set of 4 rare votive offering figures